The VIP hall of Zhongcheng Bank gleamed in the morning light, its polished floors reflecting the tall glass windows. The air smelled faintly of fresh polish and quiet formality.
At the counter, the teller studied the screen in front of him. His brows furrowed, then his eyes widened slightly before he forced his voice to remain steady.
"Miss Su," he said carefully, "your account balance has been updated. Would you like me to print a receipt?"
Su Wanqing's voice was calm, almost detached. "Yes. Please."
The printer buzzed, spitting out a slip of paper. The teller picked it up, glanced at it—then froze.
Account Balance: ¥1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Yuan)
His hand trembled as he passed it across the counter. "Forgive me, Miss Su, but… this is an extraordinary sum. With a balance like this, our bank can provide exclusive services. Wealth management, private investment opportunities, even a personal banker assigned to you. Would you like me to arrange something?"
Wanqing's lips curved faintly. "That won't be necessary. My money is safest where I can see it."
The teller swallowed, clearly rattled by her composure. "O-of course. But if you ever wish to consider it, we can make arrangements immediately. Would you like me to have the branch manager greet you?"
"No." Her tone was soft but final. "Just print me another copy."
He obeyed at once, sliding the second slip across with both hands. To him, it was the largest fortune he'd ever seen. To her, it was proof: the billion yuan she had fought to save in her first life had followed her into this one.
She tucked the receipts into her wallet, nodded politely, and walked out into the city sunlight.
---
The streets outside were alive with sound and color. Vendors called cheerfully, holding up steaming baskets.
"Fresh buns! A whole basket, only ten cents!"
Wanqing paused. Ten cents… for twenty buns. In her old world, one had cost two yuan.
She handed the vendor a single coin. "Keep the change."
The man's grin widened in delight. "Thank you, young miss! May fortune follow you!"
She walked on, the warm buns in hand, her lips curving slightly.
Across the street, a billboard in bold red letters shouted:
"Riverside Luxury Apartments – Full Ownership, Only ¥3,000 (Three Thousand Yuan)!"
Her eyes lingered on the sign. In her old world, those same apartments had been worth at least ¥30,000,000 (Thirty Million Yuan). Here? Three thousand.
Her fingers brushed the bank slips in her bag. One Billion Yuan in a world where everything costs ten-thousand times less. This isn't just money—it's power, freedom, and protection.
---
Her phone buzzed.
"Qingqing?" her mother's gentle voice came through. "Where are you? Lunch is ready."
In the background, her father's familiar grumble:
"Tell her not to spend recklessly. Money may sit in your hand, but it disappears faster than you think."
Wanqing's chest softened. She smiled. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be home soon."
Her mother chuckled. "Good. And tell your brother to stop sneaking meat from the pot."
A muffled protest followed: "I didn't!"
Wanqing laughed quietly, ending the call.
She stood there for a moment, the bustle of the street moving around her. To her family, today was ordinary. To her, it was the beginning of rewriting everything.
This time, she promised herself, no one would trample them. No one would take what was theirs.
She lifted the basket of buns and started home.
---
✨ End of Chapter 1 ✨